The Phillies didn’t quite get the response they were hoping for from former Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who turned down an opportunity. Meanwhile, general manager Dave Dombrowski is under pressure to create a list of potential candidates for the team’s managerial vacancy.
Don Mattingly stands out as the frontrunner, especially after he guided the Phillies to a playoff spot and recorded an impressive 79-55 record, bouncing back from a 9-19 start. Reports suggest that the team might retain Mattingly for 2027, despite earlier indications that he wouldn’t stay on.
“I think I would like to do it,” Mattingly stated last summer while the Phillies were enjoying a winning streak and fighting for top position.
This puts us in a situation where, if Dombrowski extends an offer, Mattingly is likely to accept. But, really, there’s still some uncertainty about whether that will actually happen.
Dombrowski previously praised Cora, calling him one of the best managers in baseball. He mentioned having worked with legendary figures like Tony La Russa and Jim Leyland, emphasizing Cora’s potential to reach similar heights if he chooses to return to managing.
Interestingly, Mattingly was initially Dombrowski’s second choice last April, and that could happen again, although outside options are somewhat limited.
Other candidates could be Rocco Baldelli, Brad Ausmus, and David Ross. Baldelli might not have a direct connection to Dombrowski, but he’s one of the more accomplished managers available. He ranks as the third-winningest manager in Twins history, boasting a record of 527-505 and claiming the Manager of the Year title in 2019.
Another name in the mix is Ausmus, who has been the Yankees’ bench coach since 2024. He shares a strong history with Dombrowski from their time together in Detroit.
Ausmus had a promising start with the Tigers, winning 90 games in his first season, before facing challenges in subsequent years.
Earlier reports suggested that Mattingly could be “gracefully dismissed” if Cora were brought on board. However, now it seems that Mattingly might actually have a longer tenure with the team than expected.
